Electric key lock



CN'UYUHLK July 5, 1949. J. A. CHAULK ETAL ELECTRIC KEY LOCK Filed Oct.9, 1946 fl z j INVENTORS (lo/m EC'kaul/f By (lac/1. flautel PatentedJuly 5, 1949 ELECTRIC KEY LOCK John A. Chaulk and Jack Dautel, OklahomaCity, Okla.; Ellen Louise Dautel, sole heir of Jack Dautel, deceased,assignor to Ray Chaulk, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Application October 9, 1946, Serial No. 702,268

10 Claims. 1

The present invention is directed to improvements in looks and hasparticular reference to an electrically controlled, key operated lock ofthe cylinder or pin tumbler type.

The principal object of the invention is to proride in a cylinder lockan electrical control means which precludes the usual key operation ofthe lock until a predetermined condition has been satisfied.

Another object of the invention is to provide in combination with acylinder look a remotely controlled, electric circuit completed by theinitial key operation of the lock and adapted upon completion toenergize a tractive, electromagnet which permits -full operation of thelock to close a main circuit, or the like, of a device protected by thelock.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a lock having theforegoing characteristics a novel and simplified electrical means forremotely controlling the full operation of a key controlled cylinderlock until remote, predetermined conditions have been satisfied.

Other objects will be apparent from the following specification and theaccompanying drawing, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of ourinvention, it being understood that modifications may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of theappended claims.

In the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate similar parts:

Fig. 1 is a central, cross-sectional view of our novel lockconstruction, the associated parts being shown diagrammatically asillustrative of one of many lock controlled systems to which ourinvention is applicable.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a fragmental, cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig.1.

Our invention is particularly designed to prevent the unintentionaloperation of an internal combustion motor vehicle with the emergencybrake in operative or set position and it contemplates, under thesespecific conditions, the use of a cylinder lock for closing the ignitioncircuit for the motor and having its operative position blocked by theplunger of an electromagnet. The

electromagnet is energized through an electric circuit remotelycontrolled by an emergency brake switch and completed by the initial keyoperation of said lock thereby insuring that the brake must be in itsinoperative or "ofl" position before the ignition system can becompleted to start the motor.

With reference to the drawings the numeral It indicates a cylindricalcasing opened at its ends and divided centrally by a partition II toform a forwardly positioned lock retaining compartment l2 and a rear,switch compartment l3. A lock barrel I4 is positioned within thecompartment l2 and is provided with and eccentrically positioned,through bore for rotatably mounting a, key cylinder 18. The cylinder isprovided with the usual key-way ll into which a key 18 may be insertedwhen it is desired to operate the cylinder lock.

The cylinder l6 and the barrel ll have formed therein pin or tumblerreceiving bores which, as illustrated in Fig. 1, are in alignment whenthe lock is in locked position, and as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1,the pins are each divided intermediate their ends and the two sectionsare spring urged toward the key-way ll. Upon insertion of a key 18 intothe key-way the pins are moved so that their division lines lie alongthe periphery of the cylinder is so that said cylinder may be keyoperated to an unlocked position, i. e. counterclockwise as illustratedin Fig. 6.

An electromagnet generally indicated by the reference numeral 19 ismounted upon the casing l0 and has a centrally disposed core 20 having adepending, reduced threaded end 2| which is positioned within alignedthreaded apertures 22 and 23 formed in the casing l0 and the barrel Mrespectively. This construction secures the barrel within the casing IDin fixed, non-rotative position saidcore 20 having a central apertureformed therethrough for receiving a tractive plunger 24 which isnormally biased for projection of its lower end into a peripheral slot25 (Fig. 6)

- formed in the cylinder ii. The means for biasing the plunger comprisesa spring 28 which is positioned in the upper end of the core and is heldtherein by screw 21 which is threaded in the upper reduced end 28 of thecore.

The electromagnetic core 20 is wound with a suitable coil 29 which issurrounded by a tubular housing 30 which bears against the casing 10 atits lower end and is closed by a cap 3| at its upper end, said cap beingprovided with a central bore which cooperates with the exteriorlythreaded end 28 of the core for securing the housing and the cap to thecasing.

A three way switch is rotatably mounted within the switch compartment [3in axial alignment with the key controlled cylinder iii of the lock andcomprises an insulated, rotatable block 32 which has fitted to itsforward end a cap 33 which has formed therein a concentric slot 34 (Fig.The slot is adapted to receive the arcuate extended portion 35 of aconnecting bracket 36 secured to the rear end of the key cylinder l8 andit will therefore be noted that rotary motion of the cylinder will betransmitted to the switch block 32 through said arcuate slot and bracketconnection.

The switch is provided with an insulating block 37 which is fixed to theinterior, rear portion of the switch compartment and mounts a suitablepivot pin 38 which passes through the central portion of the block toprovide concentric rotation of the block relative to the fixed block 37.The rotatable block 32 carries at its rear portion an electricallyconductive bridge plate 39 provided with three movable contacts 4 I. 42and 43 (Fig. 2) These contacts take the form of rivets which have shankspassing through the plate and through channel members 44 which engagerearwardly projecting shoulders 45 formed on the block 32 (Fig. 4). Thebridge plate is urged with a constant pressure against the inner face ofthe stationary block by means of a spring 48 which encircles the pin 38and bears against the adjacent surfaces of the bridge plate 39 and therotatable block 32.

The fixed block 31 has embedded in its interior surface a number offixed stationary contacts 41, 48 and 49 which are adapted for selectiveconnections through the bridge 39 upon rotational movement of the block32 as will be more fully set out below.

As illustrated in Fig. 1 the stationary contact 41 is connected by lead480 to one side 490 of the electromagnetic coil 29 whilst the other side50 of the coil is connected by an electrical conducting bracket 5| to aground 52. The stationary contact 48 is arcuately shaped and positionedadjacent the stationary contact 41 and, as indicated in Fig. 1, isconnected to a lead 53 having a remotely controlled switch 54 and abattery 55 interposed therein in series. The contact 49 is connected bylead 55 to an electrical device 51 protected by the lock. The numeral 58indicates suitable positioning stops for the switch which are engaged bythe rotatable contact 43 to positively locate the rotatable block inswitch off and "on positions.

In operation when the key control cylinder is in its locked position,the tractive plunger 24 of electromagnet l9 will project into the slot25 in the cylinder to preclude the full rotation of the cylinder. Inthis locked cylinder position the movable contacts 4| and 42 arenormally out of engagement with the stationary switch contacts and thepositioning contact 43 is seated in the lowermost positioning stop 58shown in Fig. 3. The lower end of the plunger will also normally assumea position within and at the left hand side of the cylinder slot 25 whenthe lock is in its said operative or locked position. Upon initial keyinstituted rotation of the cylinder the slot permits a slight rotationof the cylinder and the movable switch so that the contact 4| on thelatter bridges the stationary contacts 41 and 48. In the event remotecontrol switch 54 is closed, bridging of the contacts 41 and 48 closes acircuit through the electromagnet to energize it and retract the plunger24 from the slot 25 permitting full rotation of the cylinder and switchto a position where stationary contacts 48 and 49 are engaged by movablebridge contacts 4| and 42 respectively, deenergizing the electromagnetand completing an electric circuit to the protected device 51. In thislatter position contact 43 is seated in the uppermost positioning stop58 illustrated in Fig. 3.

However if remote control switch 54 is open, initial key actuation ofthe cylinder merely permits slight rotation of the cylinder, theunretracted plunger in the slot precluding further rotation of thecylinder to close the circuit to the protected device.

It will therefore be noted that we provided a key controlled cylinder orpin tumbler lock which upon initial operation closes a remotelycontrolled electric circuit which energizes a tractive electromagnet topermit full operation of the lock to close a main circuit, or the like,of a device protected by the lock. The remote switch 54 must thereforebe closed before the lock may be operated by its proper key and thedevice, therefore. lends itself to a number of useful situations such assafety deposit vault boxes, department store doors and especially as anignition lock for automobiles which prevents the unintentional operationof the protected vehicle with the emergency brake in its set position.In this latter instance, the protected device 51 would be the ignitioncoil whilst the remotely controlled switch 54 would be opened by the setposition of the automobile brake and closed by the inoperative positionof the emergency brake.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination with a cylinder lock having a fixed barrel and a keycontrolled cylinder-rotatably mounted in the barrel, of an electromagnetmounted on the barrel, a peripheral slot formed in the cylinder, atractive plunger for the electromagnet normally biased for projectioninto the slot, said slot being circumferentially elongated to permitlimited rotation of the cylinder when the plunger is in the slot, anormally open switch closed by initial rotation of the cylinder, and aremotely controlled electric circuit including the electromagnet and theswitch.

2. The combination with a cylinder lock having a fixed barrel and a keycontrolled cylinder rotatably mounted in the barrel, of a normally openthree way switch operatively associated with the cylinder, anelectromagnet mounted on the barrel, a peripheral slot formed in thecylinder, a tractive plunger for the electromagnet normally biased forprojection into the slot, said slot being circumferentially elongated topermit limited rotation of the cylinder when the plunger is in the slot,a remotely controlled circuit including the electromagnet and the switchand closed by initial rotation of the switch to energize theelectromagnet, said switch being thereafter movable to close a circuitto an electric device protected by the lock.

3. In a device of the class described the combination of a casing, alock barrel within the casing, a key cylinder rotatably mounted in thebarrel, an electromagnet positioned in the casing, aligned aperturesformed in the casing and the barrel, a core for the electromagnet havinga reduced lower end disposed in the apertures, a peripheral slot formedin the cylinder, a tractive plunger movable in the core and normallybiased for projection into the slot to preclude full rotation Of thecylinder, said slot being circumferentially elongated to permit limitedrotation of the cylinder when the plunger is in the slot, and electricmeans closed by initial actuation of the cylinder to energize theelectromagnet and retract the plunger from the slot to permit fullrotation of the cylinder.

4. In a look, a key-controlled member rotatable from a locking positionto an unlocking position, a latching device normally limiting suchrotation to permit only partial rotation of the member toward saidunlocking position, an electromagnet adapted, when energized, to operatesaid latching device to permit full rotation of said member to saidunlocking position, a remotely controlled circuit for energizing saidelectromagnet when said member is in a position intermediate saidlocking and unlocking positions, and switching means controlled by saidmember for interrupting said circuit whenever said member is in saidlooking position and also whenever it is in said unlocking position.

5. In a look, a key-controlled member rotatable from a locking positionto an unlocking position, a latching device normally limiting suchrotation to permit only partial rotation of the member toward saidunlocking position, a remotely controlled electromagnet for operatingsaid latching device to permit full rotation of the member to saidunlocking position, means controlled by said member for disabling theelectromagnet whenever said member is in said locking position and saidmeans responsive to partial rotation of said member toward saidunlocking position to enable said electromagnet.

6. In a look, a key-controlled member rotatable from a locking positionto an unlocking position, a latching device normally limiting suchrotation to permit only partial rotation of the member toward saidunlocking position, an electrical contact so controlled by said memberas to be open when the member is in said locking position and closedwhen the member is partially rotated toward said unlocking position, anelectromagnet for operating said latching device to permit full rotationof said member to said unlocking position, and a remotely controlledcircuit including said contact and said electromagnet.

'7. In a lock, a key-controlled member rotatable from a locking positionto an unlocking position, an electrical switch actuated by said memberresponsive to rotation of said member from said locking position to aposition intermediate said locking position and said unlocking position,a stop normally preventing rotation of the member from said intermediateposition to said unlocking position, a remote electrical switch, and anelectromagnet controlled conjointly by said two switches for at timeswithdrawing said stop to permit rotation of the key-controlled memberfrom said intermediate position to said unlocked position.

8. In a look, a key-controlled member rotatable from a locking positionto an unlocking position, an electrical switch actuated by said memberresponsive to rotation of said member from said locking position to aposition intermediate said locking position and said unlocking position,a stop normally preventing rotation of the member from said intermediateposition to said unlocking position, a remote electrical switch, anelectromagnet controlled conjointly by said two switches for at timeswithdrawing said stop to permit rotation of the key-controlled memberfrom said intermediate position to said unlocked position, and a thirdelectrical switch actuated by said member responsive to rotation thereoffrom said intermediate position to said unlocking position.

9. In a look, a key-controlled member rotatable from a normal positionto a predetermined onnormal position, a stop normally preventingrotation of said member beyond said predetermined position, a stationaryelectrical contact having a source of current connected thereto, asecond stationary contact having connected thereto an electrical deviceto be controlled, a third stationary contact having connected thereto anelectromagnet adapted when energized to withdraw said stop thereby topermit rotation of said member beyond said predetermined off-normalposition, said member having coupled therewith a movable shunt operatedto bridge said first and third contacts responsive to rotation of saidmember from said normal position to said predetermined offnormalposition and operated to bridge said first and second contactsresponsive to rotation of said member beyond said predeterminedposition.

10. A look as in claim 9 having a remote electrical switch operable atwill to disconnect said source of current from said first contact.

JOHN A. CHAULK. JACK DAUTEL,

REFERENCES CITED The following referenlces are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,462,684 Clum July 24, 1923" 61,758,698 Hardesty May 13, 1930 I 2-3 J flrs 2,103,702 Tibbetts Dec. 28,1937 p36 $1. 3

